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News: St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman is projected to miss the next eight to 10 weeks after having surgery Friday to repair a torn meniscus and another minor cartilage tear, the team announced. Berkman, who was placed on the disabled list last Sunday after suffering the injury while stretching to make a putout at first base, will begin his rehab work in Houston. The Cardinals anticipate Berkman returning to St. Louis for the latter part of his rehab. "It was great to hear his voice and hear that excitement," manager Mike Matheny said. "He's thinking about counting down the days until he's back."
Analysis: If there was a positive note to take from Berkman's surgery, it's that there was no mention of repairing his ACL, which likely would have ended his season. Instead, the 36-year-old slugger could return at some point following the All-Star break, but St. Louis will certainly be overly cautious during his rehab. "It was great news," Matheny said. "As good a news as we could get. The doctors were extremely optimistic about what they saw." Berkman ripped 14 hits in 13 games before the injury (.333), and should be reserved in all Fantasy formats for now.
News: MLB.com reports A's outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, on the 15-day disabled list, took 28 swings inside the batting cages on Friday and is scheduled to take batting practice Saturday. If all goes well, Cespedes could return from his strained left hand during Oakland's series against Minnesota, which begins Monday.
Analysis: Cespedes appears to be nearing a return for the A's so keep an eye on his status over the weekend. If he is able to make it through batting practice unscathed, he should be able to return during Week 9 (May 28-June 3). The 26-year-old is batting .245 in his first 28 games in the majors with five homers and 21 RBI. Cespedes should be considered a viable option in most Fantasy formats, when healthy.
News: Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt will continue to pitch with the brace he has been wearing since recovering from a sprained right knee, reports MLB.com. Affeldt landed on the 15-day disabled list back on April 28 due to his injury. "Right now, I'm going to wear it until they tell me not to," Affeldt said Friday. "If it becomes a part of my uniform, it becomes a part of my uniform."
Analysis: Affeldt has yet to allow a run since sporting his knee brace, so it comes as no real surprise that he doesn't want to let it go. The left-hander continues to be used in a middle-relief role and has racked up 15 strikeouts over his 16 innings pitched thus far. However, because he is not in line for saves, Affeldt should be considered merely a low-end option in deeper NL-only Fantasy formats.
News: Angels relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins was able to throw off a mound on Friday, for the first time in three weeks, while recovering from a fractured pinkie finger on his right hand. He threw for the first time period on Monday, so it is a good sign that he was able to get on a mound and pitch without any setbacks.
Analysis: Hawkins remains on target to return to the pen in early June. He picked up a save before the injury, however it looks like he has no chance at pitching in the late innings when he returns, as the Angels' pen has been solidified in recent weeks. He should only be used in deeper AL-only leagues that reward for holds when he returns.
News: Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Reds due to a stiff neck. Cuddyer has gone 7 for 13 (.538) with four RBI in his last four games.
Analysis: Cuddyer has picked up the pace at the plate recently so hopefully this injury does not keep him out for long. Keep an eye on his status over the weekend to see how he is looking heading into Week 9 (May 28-June 3). Cuddyer already has four homers with 27 RBI on the season and should be considered a solid option in the majority of Fantasy formats, when healthy.
News: Cardinals outfielder Jon Jay, on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained right shoulder, was been running the bases and doing some hitting work off a tee, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jay has been sidelined since May 15 with his injury and is eligible to be activated off the DL on May 30. .
Analysis: Jay continues to make small strides toward getting back on the field, but the Cardinals still aren't sure if he will be able to return from the DL when he first eligible. However, the team will likely err on the side of caution with the 27-year-old to make sure he is fully healed before bringing him back. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his status moving forward. Jay can be considered a decent Fantasy start in deeper mixed formats when healthy.
News: The Washington Post reports Nationals first baseman/outfielder Michael Morse, on the 15-day disabled list due to a back injury, will begin a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac on Monday. Morse played on an extended spring training game on Friday and hit two home runs.
Analysis: Morse is targeting a June 8 return and should be able to make that date, barring a setback. After batting .303 with 31 homers and 95 RBI a year ago, owners have been waiting to see what he can to this season so keep an eye on his progress going forward. Morse should continue to be stashed away in most Fantasy formats as a Week 10 (June 4-10) return is looking like a strong possibility.
News: Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada has been in extended Spring Training over the last few days working on rehabbing his injured right quad, and on Friday, manager Terry Collins gave an update on his status. Collins said that Tejada had another baserunning session on Friday, which was "just so-so," according to MLB.com. "I wouldn't say it's a setback, it's just not a big step forward," Collins said.
Analysis: Collins did indicate that the team does not expect Tejada to take too long to get back to playing, once he feels comfortable running. He might not even need much in the way of minor-league rehab games. "When Ruben gets back, if he's swinging like he's capable of, he's going to be the shortstop," Collins said. "I think that when the running side is what they want it to be, it might not be very many games [until he returns]." It sounds like he might be able to come back soon, which is a good sign, as Tejada was hitting .305 in 27 games before the injury, so continue to keep him stashed in deeper mixed Fantasy leagues.
News: Manager Ozzie Guillen dropped outfielder Logan Morrison down to fifth in the lineup for Friday night's contest against the Giants. Morrison entered the contest hitting just .228 with two home runs and 11 RBI on the year. “That’s very surprising and weird and confusing to see this guy struggling the way he is right now,” manager Ozzie Guillen told MLB.com. “I think he is a way better hitter than what he has showed. His ability as a hitter is better than what we are seeing.”
Analysis: Morrison has been the Marlins' cleanup hitter for most of the season as he has hit in the four-hole in 20 of the 32 games he has started this year. However, with Giancarlo Stanton now raking and Morrison slumping, Guillen decided to shake things up. While Fantasy owners have been more than frustrated by the 24-year-old's recent production, he did make his fifth start at first base on Friday night, which gives him duel eligibility in leagues that allow it. Still, Morrison should be considered no more than a low-end option until he starts swinging the bat better.
News: MLB.com reports Orioles third baseman Mark Reynolds, on the 15-day disabled list, will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Saturday. Reynolds has not played since May 10 due to a left oblique strain.
Analysis: Reynolds showed some signs of life at the plate before going down with the injury, batting .348 (8 for 23) with two homers and six RBI in his previous seven games. Keep an eye on his progress during his rehab stint to see when the 28-year-old will return. Despite his prowess for striking out, Reynolds has a ton of power potential and should continue to be stashed away in deeper mixed leagues while he's on the DL.
